The ARMS Incorporation Mokokchung Chapter was officially launched on October 29 by Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer and Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner Ajit Kumar Verma, marking its establishment for Mokokchung District and the adjoining districts.
The office and Japanese Language Training Centre of the ARMS Incorporation Mokokchung Chapter is now situated at Arkong Ward, below the SBI Mokokchung Bazaar Branch, on the premises of the former Imsutemjen Higher Secondary School.
Highlighting the present challenges, Sharingain Longkumer, Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, speaking on behalf of the INRIS India Foundation, observed that while access to education has significantly improved, “employability has become a growing concern.” He emphasized the need to bridge this gap by integrating education with skill development and social enterprise. The INRIS India Foundation, he said, seeks to create a community-based social business model where profits are reinvested solely for operational and developmental purposes.
Shedding light on the “Silent Endeavours,” Longkumer reflected on the legacy of his late father, I Nungshizenba Longkumer, former Minister and MLA, whose lifelong aspiration was to serve the community through education. He shared that his father’s vision was shaped by his own experience of growing up in an era when education was “necessary but unaffordable.”
He notes that during that time, the literacy rate in Nagaland stood at around 21–24%. He observed that Nagaland’s literacy rate has risen from around 21–24% to 76% as per the 2011 Census and is now estimated at 95.7%. “Despite a high literacy rate, employability remains a major concern,” Longkumer remarked, stressing that the focus must now shift from “literacy to employability and socio-economic growth.”
Underscoring the importance of skill enhancement, he stated that the initiatives under the INRIS India Foundation, in collaboration with IDAN, aim to open international avenues for Naga youth through skill-based programs, including partnerships with multinational companies in Japan.
He hoped that the first batch from the Mokokchung Chapter would not only find employment opportunities abroad but also serve as “proud ambassadors of Nagaland in Japan.”
Meripeni, Project Lead for NSEDM under IDAN Nagaland, took the opportunity to share the vision and mission of the initiative and also read out the message from Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen. In his message, the Chief Secretary highlighted that the launch of ARMS Incorporation, Mokokchung Chapter, marks a new pathway of hope and opportunity for Naga youth. He emphasized that this initiative aligns with the Nagaland Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Mission (NSEDM), which aims to prepare youth for diverse industries both within the country and abroad.
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He noted that Japanese language training will equip young people with communication skills, discipline, and the work culture that Japan is known for. Since ARMS began operations in Nagaland in 2023, 320 youth have already been trained and placed in sectors such as agriculture, industrial packaging, machine operations, construction, scaffolding, and manufacturing. With the new Mokokchung centre, youth from Mokokchung and surrounding districts can now access these opportunities locally. The Chief Secretary also acknowledged the support of the INRIS India Foundation and the NLA Speaker for making the launch possible and wished all participants success in this new journey.
Temjen Bursanen Jamir, Director of External Affairs, ARMS Incorporation, in his address on Training program overview, highlighted the organization’s ongoing efforts to empower Naga youth through skill development and overseas employment opportunities in Japan.
He informed that through the initiatives of ARMS Incorporation, with the support of IDAN and Japanese partners, around 300 youths from Nagaland have already been placed in Japan under the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP) and the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program. The new six-month Japanese Language Training Programme, he said, aims to equip trainees not only with language proficiency but also with Japanese values such as discipline, teamwork, and diligence.
During the course of training, Japanese companies and supervising organizations will conduct interviews to provide trainees with the opportunity to secure employment even before completing the program. Sharing an example, he mentioned a trainee who, after working in Japan for one and a half years, was able to purchase land in Nagaland.
Jamir stated that the goal for the coming years is to train and employ between 500 to 800 youths across various sectors, including caregiving, agriculture, manufacturing, and construction. He added that the program will extend its reach beyond Mokokchung to other districts such as Wokha, Zunheboto, Tuensang, Longleng, and Mon.
He also acknowledged the Skill Loan Initiative under IDAN and the NSEDM Project for enabling students to undergo training without financial constraints. Expressing gratitude to Speaker Sharingain Longkumer and IDAN for their support, Jamir encouraged the trainees to view Japanese language learning as a bridge between Nagaland and Japan — a step towards global connection and meaningful employment.
Nagatoshi Shibata, Vice President, ARMS Incorporation delivered his greetings while brief Speeches were also delivered by DC Mokokchung Ajit Kumar Verma; Ao Senden president Marsanen Imsong; Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) president Lanutoshi Aier; MB Longkumer, MMC member and advisor MCCI and representative of State Bank of hilighted on financial literacy, DAN chairman Dr. Watizulu delivered the words of gratitude.
During the press conference, Meripeni stated that the Japanese Language Training initiative is part of a larger vision of the Government of Nagaland under the leadership of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio. She shared that this mission, launched in May 2025, aims to build a skilled, employed, and empowered Nagaland.
“Our goal is to prepare our youth for diverse and emerging industries, both within the country and abroad,” she said. “One of the key steps toward this vision is the introduction of Japanese language training, which will not only equip our young people with communication skills but also instill in them the discipline, precision, and strong work culture that Japan is renowned for.”
Meripeni encouraged the youth of Nagaland to take advantage of this opportunity and undergo the training, emphasizing that learning the Japanese language is a gateway to employment and better prospects in Japan.
Earlier, the inaugural programme of the ARMS Incorporation Office, an initiative of INRIS India Foundation, was held at Arkong Ward, Mokokchung. Imtitoshi Pongen, Councillor of the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC), graced the occasion as the Special Guest and officially inaugurated the new office and training centre by performing the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the site, formerly known as Imsutemjen Higher Secondary School.
